The All Blacks squad will be named tomorrow for the test series against the British and Irish Lions. But with seemingly half the team under an injury cloud and some not even playing, the squad may be a case of who is fit and available, not who is left out. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn takes a look at a possible squad.
More and more no matter how good or how poor a player has been in Super Rugby, he will still be left out or included.
Hansen knows, or thinks he knows, who can turn it on at the highest level and it is hard to argue against him after the record he has fashioned since he took over the team in 2012.
And the Super Rugby competition is so weak these days it is hard to get a gauge on form.
Teams can play weak sides for weeks on end and players look like a million dollars. But in reality only games between New Zealand teams are a decent guide on how everyone is travelling.
Obviously the injury issue hangs over the squad like James Comey's shadow lurks behind the big man in Washington.
Can Kieran Read be right after playing virtually no rugby in 2017?
What about the ageing legs of Jerome Kaino? Is he becoming the new Tony Woodcock? Not turning up at Super Rugby level, reserving himself for the All Blacks.
And let's not even raise the issues about concussion. It seems every day some new rugby player has been struck down by headaches.
The issue with concussion is it is such an unknown. It could affect a player for three hours or three months.
But of all those who have had symptoms this year - and there has been plenty - most will be included in the squad.
Expect a few extra names to be included in the squad tomorrow.
One of those hit by head knocks is Ben Smith, and he is certain to be named. It is worrying he has picked up two head knocks this season but who knows how this will affect him? It is all a waiting game.
The usual suspects pick themselves out wide and there should be some room for Jordie Barrett, although it should be noted he has looked a million dollars against such average sides as the Rebels and the Brumbies. Against the Crusaders he looked more Ford Anglia than Ferrari.
The midfield is a traffic jam and Malakai Fekitoa could be the unlucky one to miss out. Hardly seems fair but others are more highly rated.
Lima Sopoaga's lack of rugby may count against him and he could make way for Jordie Barrett.
The halfbacks pick themselves, as do the loose forwards. Steven Luatua may come into the picture while Elliot Dixon is, unfortunately, going to be passed over.
It is a risk with Kaino, Read and Liam Squire all currently injured, but their abrasive, confrontational nature is vital for the All Blacks to succeed.
Scott Barrett will be the fourth lock, as Patrick Tuipulotu has been struggling for form over the past couple of months.
The props will be the five who headed away on the tour at the end of last year.
Hooker is all about the fitness of Dane Coles. He has not played since March, so it is hard to see how he could be picked.
Liam Coltman hits the ball up well and makes heaps of tackles but the All Blacks want more of a runner and distributor as a hooker. Expect Codie Taylor and Nathan Harris to be in, with Coltman still likely to be included while Coles, as expected, sits it out - to start with, anyway.